NAB 2017: Hear360 shows off 8ball spatial microphone for cinematic VR

As 360 cameras get more advanced, less expensive and more numerous, hopefully these technical advances will give 360 content creators a bit more room to think about another core component to a successful 360 story: spatial audio.

This year at NAB, LA-based Hear360 brought a 3D printed working prototype of its 8ball omni-binaural microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off. for use in cinematic VR productions to produce immersive sound.

Although many microphones for VR and 360 applications are moving toward ambisonicPertaining to audio reproduction that captures the spatial acoustic qualities of recorded sound. audio rather than binaural solutions, Hear360 claims the 8ball can produce an aural experience nearly indistinguishable from reality by pairing binaural recording with head tracking.

Hear360’s 8ball spatial microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off. features 8 capsules organized to mimic the alignment of four pairs of ears.

“Ambisonics create a spherical synthesis of spatial audio and can manipulate sound from capture,” said CTO and Cofounder Greg Morgenstein. “But the idea behind the 8ball is to be able to point and shoot without any manipulation.”

Meaning, it isn’t synthesized and requires next to no additional manipulation. In fact, users will even be able to live stream spatial audio with the 8ball.

“AmbisonicPertaining to audio reproduction that captures the spatial acoustic qualities of recorded sound. is great, it has its place,” Morgenstein said. “But it’s like playing an orchestra on a keyboard whereas this is the real orchestra.”

Hear360’s 8ball spatial microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off. can be clamped around a tripod below any 360 camera to gather spatial audio.

Key features of the 8ball spatial microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off.

The 8ball spatial microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off. features eight capsules organized to simulate the design, alignment and results of four pairs of ears.

The patent-pending microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off. can easily be clamped around a tripod below a 360 camera to avoid being seen in the shot. It also works with any 8-channel field recorder and integrates with post-production processes via FMod, Wwise or Unity plugin.

To experience samples of audio captured by the 8ball, watch the video above featuring baseball’s Reggie Jackson while wearing headphones using Firefox or Google Chrome.

More samples, including samples from a Major Lazer concert, are also available on Hear360’s website.

Other spatial audio solutions from Hear360

Hear360 is also working on four other microphones, including three ambisonicPertaining to audio reproduction that captures the spatial acoustic qualities of recorded sound. microphones, some of which are in alpha and others in beta, and a six-capsule microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off. Morgenstein tentatively calls the Six Pack that is neither binaural or ambisonicPertaining to audio reproduction that captures the spatial acoustic qualities of recorded sound.. However, these are all in the early stages, whereas users are already welcome to sign up for beta access to the 8ball spatial microphoneThis is a description of a microphone it goes here and it's long so that we see if it gets cut off..

Morgenstein estimates the 8ball will cost around $2,000, including the software suite. Sign up on Hear360’s website for a chance to join its private beta list and to learn more about the 8ball.

About Sarah Redohl

Sarah Redohl is an award-winning new media journalist focusing on mobile and 360 experiences. Her work has been featured on the Travel Channel and National Public Radio, among others. She has also been recognized as one of Folio: Magazine’s 15 Under 30 young professionals driving media’s next-gen innovation.